30 January 2014. (Photo by Monisha Pushparaj from wikipedia)30 January 2014. (Photo by Monisha Pushparaj from wikipedia)
Sarnia

Group stages antiracism event

A local group hoping to wipeout racism in Sarnia-Lambton wants to tell you what they've accomplished so far.

The Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership and County of Lambton are hosting an event Monday to detail the impact of an antiracism arts program.

Social Planner Aruba Mahmud said since receiving provincial funding in September 2017, the project has impacted more than 260 local participants.

"It was meant to engage people who've experienced racism or discrimination through the arts in order to address these difficult topics and experiences, and to educate the larger community."

Mahmud said Monday's event will detail the successes of the project and what they've learned so far.

She also said they'll have a guest speaker on hand, Leroy Hibbert, to make sure their cause continues once funding for the project comes to an end.

"We're hoping that we can learn a lot from him on how to move forward. We don't want this program to just wrap up and nothing continue-- it's always been our goal to continue this important work once the project comes to an end."

Mahmud said a variety of workshops have helped a number newcomers young and old.

She said the art created was both powerful and heartbreaking.

"Kids were drawing bombs dropping on their school, people dying, soldiers and police coming after them because those were their real life experiences."

The event goes from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Guildwood Inn on Venetian Boulevard.

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